Ah, the tablet PC. This little model packs enough punch to hold it’s own as an ultra-portable laptop computer, adding the ability to use it as a table PC is the icing on this very tasty cake.

Ever since I first saw a friend of mine with an Acer 15inch screen model tablet PC, I have loved the idea. Laptops and computers being bound by the use of mice and keyboards really was in the way of other useful PC uses.

The table PC allows you to turn the monitor around so that it closes with the monitor facing outward, allowing you to use a special pen that comes with the computer to write on the monitor.

So, besides this functionality, which is conveniently handled by Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, what else can it do.

It is well featured in other areas too. It comes with an Intel Pentium M Processor 1.1GHz with a 400MHz FSB. This should be enough for most applications, including most office applications for things such as word processing or surfing the internet.

Memory is a little on the low side at 256MB and would certainly need to be increased to allow decent use of programs within Windows. It is possible to upgrade the memory without too much hassle, and although there is claimed to be only one memory slot for more memory the other memory stick could be changed by someone who knows how, although it could void your warranty.

Audio output and microphone input are standard, as well as modem ports, USB ports, fast infrared ports, LAN ports and VGA ports.

The 40GB hard drive will be enough for the purposes a computer of this sort is used for, and there is no CD or DVD drive.

There is a secure digital media reader, integrated audio, Wireless LAN support, allowing you to connect to a wireless network.

The inclusion of an NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go 32MB AGP 4x graphics card is a cool extra for this computer. Not only doesn it give graphics that boost in performance, but it also saves that bit of memory, allowing more memory for the other applications on the computer to use.

At 4lbs and 10.8 by 8.5 inches and only 0.8inches thick this computer is extremely portable. It comes with the pen needed to write on the monitor and the screen itself is a very respectable 10.4 inches.

Although still on the expensive side in my books it certainly is a strong competitor as a tablet PC. It gives the power you need as well as the convenience offered by it’s tablet PC interface.

For good value in the cheap laptop category this Acer offers many useful features and is a well rounded competitor in it’s range.

Acer is a well know maker of laptop computers as well as other computer parts and desktop computers. This computer comes with a good range of parts, which will live up to high demands without being a burden on your pocket.

The first thing to be noticed about this laptop is that it comes with an Intel Centrino processor. These are well known as one of the best mobile processors around. They are also more costly than the mobile versions of Intel’s other chips like the Celeron and the Pentium 4. This is a surprisingly good find on a computer in this range.

The 15 inch screen will certainly not let you down. Consumers report the screen to give a very sharp picture as well as good color brilliance. Sometimes LCD monitors can have a dull picture, which this one does not.

A very decent 512MB or memory is included, giving it enough memory to run almost any application you could hope to throw at it. The ability of the computer to run your programs a little quicker and run more of them can be improved by adding some memory, which would be a good option if this computer is also to be used as a main computer at home.

The picture is handled by an onboard Intel 855GME graphics chipset producing a maximun screem resolution of 1280×800 which is WXGA offering a screen dimension of 16:9, like wide screen movies have.

Amongst the other useful features are 3 USB ports, a firewire port, a fast infrared port for a mouse of keyboard, LAN ports, Modem ports, audio out/mic, VGA and S-Video ports.

One feature that is becoming more and more in demand is Wireless LAN support. With the number of places where you can find a wireless connection increasing, more and more people are looking to have the ability to log on. The Acer doesn’t disappoint here either with Integrated Wireless LAN support.

The dimensions of this laptop are fairly typical for this kind, 14.3inch x 11inch and 1.5 inches high. It’s weight of 6.5 lbs will be a slight disadvantage for those hoping to lug it around all day like businessmen who take their laptops with them everywhere.

This laptops strength lies in it powerful combination of parts. It is a good performer and if lugging around 6.5lbs all day doesn’t sound too bad, which it doesn’t to me, this is certainly one of my choices for a good laptop.

The HP Compaq nx6110 Notebook offers a good combination of mobility and power. And at it’s price point it is a bargain for those looking for a laptop computer that can also double as a decent desktop unit.

Based on an Intel Celeron M Processor. This computer should have enough power to do most basic operations. Handling word processing and surfing the internet can be handled by this PC.

The Celeron is not as powerful as it’s brothers the Pentium M and the Centrino but will hold it’s own in the budget arena.

The standard 512MB of memory is enough to run the computer quite well. Although up to 128MB of this can be used by the on-board graphics card it should still be capable of running all the applications you could want.

If you are worried, or would like additional power, upgrading to either 768MB or 1GB or memory will increase this laptops abilities a lot.

It comes with a CD-RW, DVD combination drive which is to be expected in this price range. A DVD writer might be something to look into, but is not absolutely necessary.

Audio is built in and it comes with wireless internet support. The wireless connection has two antennas which helps maintain a reliable connection to the network.

An extra HP Travel battery2 will get you an additional 4 hours of battery life and can be charge up to 90% in only 90 minutes.

The display is a large 15 inch which can support up to 1024×768 resolution. The keyboard is full sized.

The case is strong and there is a data protection system to protect it from shock and vibrations.

The size is good, but it is heavy at 6.1lbs which is not a problem but might cause shoulder aches if it is transported around a lot during the day.

For a new laptop this is a great deal. If you insist on getting a new laptop and are looking for a good deal, you have found one here. A capable, powerful laptop that is both mobile and powerful without breaking the bank.

The HP Compaq nc4000 is a well rounded business oriented laptop computer.

At only 3.5 pounds or so it is quite light particularly suitable for those people who are always on the move.

The processor is an Intel Pentium M which offers good performance for your money, but not quite the power offered by it’s powerful Mobile brother the Centrino.

Other things that are included are a single Type II PC Card slot. It comes with 2 USB ports, Infrared ports, LAN ports, Modem ports as well as audio and video.

The graphics is handled by an ATI Mobility Radeon capable of pushing out 1024x 768 resoultions to it’s 12.1inch monitor.

Hard drive size is 40GB, fine for most purposes and memory is a decent 512MB, enough, but if you are looking at doing a lot of high power application, an extra stick of memory.

With this fine spread of features, business users should be impressed. And with it’s reported battery life of just under 3 hours, you’ll be able to use it outside the office for a long time before needing to plug it in.

As this is a refurbished laptop computer it only costs a fraction under a thousand dollars, an absolute steal in terms of value.

You can typically save up to 30% on a refurbished computer. And they have no sign that they have been used before and come with a fresh warranty.

Corsair are one of the forerunners in memory technology. They are well known for their overclocking memory and combined with their reputation for good customer service makes this pair a fantastic choice for those looking for an edge.

At nearly 300 bucks this pair is not cheap, but the latest technology never is. This pair are a DDR2 Dual Channel pair offering the highest speeds and lowest latencies around.

Although DDR2 is currently limited to Intel Pentium 4 systems and mostly higher end motherboards, those who are in this range are certainly not expecting to get a discount desktop computer for cheap.

What you will get from this pair is a gigabyte of super fast memory. Anongst the first to offer 667MHz in DDR2, this pair pushes the edge.

In a review at http://www.systemcooling.com/corsair_xms2-5400-01.html this pair was reported to be “perfectly happy at timings of 3-3-2-5″ which is with the FSB at 200MHz.

They also said that this pair is “capable of higher speeds and tighter latencies than any other DDR2 we’ve tested yet” which is a lot to be said with the fierce competition that is building in DDR2 memory.

As a pair for overclockers or those looking for the best, this pair will serve well in a top desktop computer of workstation.

If the performance boost of upgrading to 1 gigabyte makes a difference to your computer’s speed, imagine what a difference 2 gigabytes would make.

For those who like to dabble in huge projects with massive images and huge file sizes, while multitasking with other memory intensive programs, this pair will certainly help your computer to take the strain and keep you relaxed not having long waiting periods.

This pair is a dual channel pair increasing performance by over 10%, while it is also DDR2.

Note: DDR2 is not backward compatible with DDR, nor will DDR work on a motherboard for DDR2. They are not the same physically.

The pair offer latencies fairly typical of DDR2 memory 4-4-4-12 which is usual throughout the range of DDR2. They operate at 533MHz which makes them PC4200.

So if you need a computer with a LOT of memory this pair is quite a bargain for such a lot of memory.

If you have one of the latest top desktop computers, or are planning to build one, this may be a great addition to your system.

DDR2 improves on DDR memory technology by offering lower latencies and higher speeds.

Compared to “normal” DDR, DDR2 sticks have 240 pins. They are designed to work together as a pair which further boosts performance.

With speeds of up to 533MHz, this pair of memory sticks offer the high speeds appropriate for a high powered system.

The latency is 4-4-4-12, which looks slow compared to DDR, but remember that DDR2 operates at four times the bus speed, which DDR (Double Data Rate) operates at double. So it compares with 2-2-2-6 DDR.

The best thing is their price. For only a hundred bucks you get a full gigabyte of memory.

A super value deal for those using a new Pentium 4 system based on the newer Socket 775. Not all newer motherboards support this technology and it is limited to those that have Intel CPUs.

If you are in the market and intend to get an Intel Pentium 4 make sure you get a 600 series chip and a board that supports DDR2. It will be well worth the investment.

The ultimate upgrade for the serious overclocker. This dual channel pair is capable of going to speeds of 550MHz.

Being able to push your memory to these speeds allows you to speed up your computer a lot. This is one of the most expensive pairs of overclocking dual channel memory that you can find.

A printing error caused me to believe that this was in fact a pair of 1024MB modules but it is only a pair of 512MB.

Latency for these modules is 3-4-4-8, at 550MHz. For those who intend to run it at speeds less than that it could certainly achieve 2.5-3-3-7 or better at 400MHz.

This pair is designed to take all you can throw it. And with their ability to handle very fast speeds there is very little that they could not handle.

They are only designed for DDR and not DDR2. If you are using a system with DDR dual channel this is a top end choice to give blistering fast performance.

For 1024MB of overclocking dual channel memory this is very good value for money. This pair is on a par with many of the other big manufacturers in the memory business.

The review I found at http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.cfm?articleid=573&cid=5 stated that the pair has in fact a 2-2-2-5 latency rating. They use “Samsung K4H560838F-TCCD modules rated for 500MHz DDR at CAS 3-4-4″ which makes them very fast at 400MHz.

The results of that article also showed the PQI to outperform the Kingston HyperX PC3500 and Geil PC3500 Ultra memory on their Pentium 4 system, while only just lagging on their AMD system. They were also able to push them as far as 520MHz with latencies slightly relaxed.

View the test at hothardware.com

The pair operate at 400MHz PC3200 and are a dual channel pair.

Latency on this pair is low 2.5-3-3-7 which will improve the efficiency of how things operate on your computer. This pair are placed well in their range of overclocking offering value in the range.

The dual channel setup will allow about a 10% increase in performance on it’s own, and when combined with the low latencies, it results in an even bigger performance gain.

People who are looking to increase performance in their current dual channel systems will be impressed by how much difference a good set of memory modules can make.

They come with heat spreaders to keep the memory modules cool inside the computer both under normal conditions and when they are being put under a large load like when playing 3D games.

Good buy if you are looking for 1024MB of PC3200 for overclocking.

Wow, this is a really expensive pair of memory modules. They are designed as a DDR dual channel pair and are registered.

They operate at 400MHz PC3200 speed and come with heat spreaders to keep them cool.

Registered memory is designed for servers and workstations as information passed to the memory module is delayed by 1 clock cycle. This helps to ensure the quality of the data that is served by the memory module.

Note: Registered/Buffered memory modules are not compatible with unregistered/unbuffered memory modules so do not use them together.

Most household computers will not need registered memory. Most of what is available and used in home computers is the normal kind which is “unregistered” and unbuffered.

In his article at http://www.sharkeyextreme.com/guides/EGBG/article.php/10721_3351931__3 Ryan “Speedy” Wissman chose this memory to be used in his $4000 AMD based extreme computer. Even being picked over Corsair’s memory as the best choice for his system. He used it in an system using the AMD 64 FX which requires registered memory.

If you happen to be looking for a registered pair to go in a server or workstation or have some specific purpose in mind this pair might be for you, otherwise, something else would probably be more appropriate.

They look very cool though!